Champ Cardle in neutral corner for Battle Of Blackpool

As well as being a fighter, he is a fight fan and is intrigued as anyone by the upcoming ‘Battle of Blackpool’ between Jack Arnfield and Brian Rose at Manchester Arena a week tonight.

The World Boxing Council international middleweight belt will be on the line, which Arnfield won in some style when he beat John Ryder on points.

Like many, Cardle sees it as a close fight and though he slightly favours Rose, he insists he will be staying strictly neutral and won’t be pulling for one fighter over the other on the big night.

Cardle, who will face Barrett at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on April 15, said: “When I first heard about the fight, I didn’t necessarily agree with it straightaway what with the fact that they have been friends for so long.

“I wouldn’t want to box a friend, but then it’s business and when you think about it, it’s a fight that can only be good for boxing in Blackpool.

“They have sparred so many rounds together and I wish I had been able to seen some of those.”

It is a classic match-up between a seasoned professional in Rose against Arnfield, who has shown distinct signs of improvement and maturity in his last two bouts with wins over John Ryder and Mick Hall.

Cardle said: “It looks like being a close run, whatever happens, but I just favour Brian.

“He has more experience at the higher level and has got bigger names on his record than Jack.

“But it is going to be hard for Brian. I have fought Jack as an amateur; I beat him and Jack beat me. I know that he will prove to be a tricky customer and cause Brian problems and he has had two good wins, but I go for Brian to show his experience and win on points.”

The bookies have it the other way, with Arnfield a shade of odds-on and Rose odds-against.